TEDx Talks
Are newborns consciously perceiving their environment? Can they feel pain?When does consciousness start? We can now measure brain activity in the womb and in newborn babies And this knowledge changes the way we care for them. Steven Laureys MD PhD, author of over 350 scientific papers and several bestselling scientific books, is a neurologist and brain scientist working at the University Hospital and University of Liège, Belgium where he is head of the Coma Science Group and GIGA Consciousness Research Centre. He is a world-leading expert in severe brain injury, chair of the World Federation of Neurology Applied Research Group on Comas and has received the prestigious Francqui Prize (2017). This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
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Consciousness in babies | Steven Laureys | TEDxFlandersWomen
So a newborn has not developed a full consciousness?
Everyone knows people who remember birth and I know people who remember gaining consciousness.
I know people that say they remember gaining consciousness at old ages such as 9 or 12. I don't remember gaining consciousness, but I have small memories being maybe 2. Remember events my dad thought no one knew lol. I remember thinking and being myself. I always had the same voice in my head as in myself. Even when I didnt know as much I was still myself. Almost makes me feel like our body is just a shell we can shed.
Too short to deal with complex topic. Presenter jumped to unfounded conclusions, lacked depth, detail, solid facts.
The vibration of sound waves that his brain feels is converted to sound
I remember looking out from my mothers womb as I was being born. It was in a warm and damp/moist place and I could see a crucifix hanging on the wall of this very well-lit (white light) room that I KNEW was a "hospital" room. From the inside I also heard the voices and mumbling of nurses and doctor in the room, I remember feeling "activity" in the room. I was born in a Catholic hospital (St. Luke), so the crucifix on the wall probably validates what I saw. I KNEW where I was and what was happening, or about to happen. I KNEW who the voices belonged to. I was born FULLY CONSCIOUS. I am a gifted person who was born in the "wrong family". I have had every kind of experience: from time-traveling, overlapping dimensions, NDEs, OBEs, levitations, apparitions (angelical, family and unknown) clairvoyance, sentience, audience, gifted in dreams and interpretation and most recently (last 20 years) what I call "dimensional facilitator", for people asking for "permission to die". All of them spontaneous and thru no effort or "discipline". That's the way I was born. Didn't apply for it. Btw… my name is ALSO Louis, like your baby.
My earliest memory (at least I think it was a memory and not a dream) is being in a dark room, kinda like as if I’m lying down in a crib at night. I’m looking around and I remember seeing a sort of purple hue on the walls, maybe a night light of some kind, and just analyzing what little I can see. Anytime I think of it, it doesn’t seem like a dream. I remember my dreams vividly, but this almost feels like a flashback.
being a baby to me would probably feel like being so high you have no idea what is going on but youre having a great time regardless. until their is a very mineor inconvenience then you cry like niagra falls
I think being a baby is like being in a weird dream not understanding anything going on at all
Maybe I’m mad, but I think I remember joy when these things on either side of my vision moved. I presume, if I am not mad, they were uncoordinated movements of my arms.
I remember waking up, everywhere is dark, I couldn't hear nor touch anything, but I could see. I don't know why I'm there, and I didn't feel anything wrong, I feel normal and peaceful. I didn't think of anything, I didn't get bored, it was calm and empty.
I don't know how long the time had passed, but I woke up again. But at that time, it was different.
I remember opening my eyes as if for the first time. I remember little, vague and fragmented memories in the past (Some of them were like in third person). I remember how bright the world was, as if it really was the first time I awake. Like the first time I saw the world.
But I was already a child back then, about two years of age. I remember standing up and walking around the corner, where I saw two people eating breakfast.
I remember feeling uneasy and unfamiliar while looking. The two called me in a familiar way, and I learned that they were my parents. Its just, I was hesitating feeling very nervous, I feel as if something is wrong. Even now I feel the same.
But at that time I didn't know what to do, I was lost and confused and just walk towards them. And that's what I remember.
He's cute. I mean both 😂
Idk about y'all but I personally was "conscious " at around after 2 years and already 3 years old and couple months on my timesheet.
I find it weird for a few or couple main questions I've asked to high school peers that were born in my year(1994 Feb 21).
I personally like I've said my conceived year(94), have asked those peers in high school of same conceived year, "what year do y'all remember after being born, or when did y'all just suddenly get your consciousness?".
Their replies always surprised me but I dont base my early consciousness or late one, to these people.
Out of all I asked, no one of them remember the final 90s years and said they only remember the 2000s and forward.
I remember watching Jurassic park when I was 6 weeks old, I loved it
I'm Not so sure.. Apparently they can't form memories until after three years of age… That must have some effect on conciousness… They are pretty bland until they get to that age too…
I've been a consciousness researcher since before I could write … a pretty stressful life when you can tell that the adults around you assume you don't know what the heck is going on haha after 28 years (i sadly do not remember being bourne lol)
I have finally understood that I wasn't insane – I was just aware of being aware and that's hard to deal with for adults who study in this field image for a child who's conscious of not even being able to express themselves yet but don't wanna worry their parents at the same time 😇
lmao y’all are funny
BREAKING NEWS: multiple studies have shown that babies are just smaller people
was i the only one waiting for that baby to wake up 😂
look at that little baby sleeping all the way
Nice prop😃😆
Because he brings baby his just out to explain ?
I have been conscience since birth.i can tell you that he is on the right path. I remember it being blurry but I got my full color vision pretty quick. I did understand language Immediately.
Great talk and very informative. But the baby, although cute and adorable, was not necessary to be there at all. Like most parents he just wanted some attention for his kid. lol
So interesting!!! I'd love to learn more
No memory = no conscience
Is it possible to provide the scientific article that was discussed in this talk?
Steven Laureys is a top scientist defending the best concept of consciousness.
He relates consciousness in babies with the capacity of feeling pain and enjoying
feeding, but not with high cognitive capabilities – as so many other scientists and
philosophers unfortunately do.
So, he brings his baby out just to explain away it's soul?